Ujelang Atoll

Ujelang Atoll (Marshallese: Wūjlan̄, [u̯u͡izʲ(e)lʲæ͡ɑŋ]) is a coral atoll of 30 islands in the Pacific Ocean, in the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is 1.86 square kilometres (0.72 sq mi), and it encloses a lagoon of 185.94 square kilometres (71.79 sq mi). It is the westernmost island in the Marshall Islands, approximately 217 kilometres (135 mi) southeast of Enewetak, and approximately 600 kilometres (370 mi) west of the main Ralik Chain.

History

Ujelang's first European visitor was Álvaro de Saavedra on 21 September 1529 shortly before his death, in his second attempt to return from Tidore to New Spain. Sighting of Ujelang was again recorded by the Spanish expeditions of Ruy López de Villalobos on 6 January 1543; of Miguel López de Legazpi on 15 January 1565; and by the mutineers of the San Jeronimo led by the pilot Lope Martín in 1566.

In 1811, the British merchant vessel Providence rediscovered the Atoll, and named Ujelang Island Providence Island.Providence had transported convicts from Britain to New South Wales and was on her way to China to pick up a cargo to take back to Britain.